Gas-engine



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C. W. BALDWIN. GAS ENGINE.

No. 281897. Patented Nov. 6. 1883..

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- U. W. BALDWIN.

GAS ENGINE. No. 287.897.-

Patented Nov. 6, 1883.

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GAS ENGINE.

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Uivirnn ST TES 'ATENT FFIClE-o CYRUS W BALDWIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

v GAS-ENGINE.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 287,897, dated November6, 1883.

' l 1 Application filed September 15, 188:3. (No model.)

To rtZZ whom, it may concern: I Be it known that 1, CYRUS W. BALDWIN, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, inthe county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and4 useful Improvements in GasEngines, of which the following isaspecification. My invention relates to "certain improve- 3 ments ingas-engines, aud'in the mode of intro- "ie ducing and exploding thecharge and operating the engine, all fully described hereinafter,

whereby I am enabled to secure increased certainty and efficiency, andbetter regulate the operations than with the methods and meansheretofore employed. p

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan in part section of one form ofengine embodying my improvements. Fig. 2isasideelevation. Fig. 3 is asectional elevation, looking from the rear. Fig. 4 is'a detached sectionof the pipes conneoted with measuring apparatus. Fig. 5 is a Viewillustratingthe igniting apparatus. invention is illustrated in thedrawings I as embodied in a single-acting engine having a cylinder, A,closed at both ends, a piston,

B, a pump, 0, the plunger 0 of which is connected by a rod, 0, directlywith an arm extending from the cross-head B, and an air casing or chest,Gas passes through pipes d 0 and?) to the inlet port a of the pump 0,and l air passes to the pipe 11 through an opening, agraduated hy'meansof a screw-cap, b, and spring check-valves b c prevent the backward flowof each fluid; The gaseous mixture is 5 drawninto the pumpby thei'orwardmotion l of the plunger, and onthe backward motionmeans of avalve, d,which may be set by hand,

control of a governor, D, operated by the engine, to the rod (1 or whichthe valve is directly attached. The air-chamber E has airinlet ports h,closed by aflapwalvafl, and com- .munieatcs through a channel, 9',(dotted lines, Fig. 2,) withthe forward end of the main cylinde so thatas the piston of the latter moves air will be drawn into the case E andof the cylinder A, and as it moves forward it and compres d insaid'case. The caseE commu nicates with the rear. end of the cylinder Al is forced through a port, c,'into the main cyl-- inder, the flow ofthe gas being regulated by but for most purposes is preferably under the'11 be forced from the cylinder A' V I through-a port, in which is a'check-valve,

i, and at or near the forward end of the cylinder A is an exhaust-port,L, through which the spent gases are discharged by the pressure of airentering the cylinder from the case E as soon as saidports are uncoveredby the piston. To prevent the admission of air through the exhaust-portinto the forward end of the cylinder as the piston moves back, saidpiston is provided with an arm, L, which projects forward sufficientlyto cover the port N dur ing the back movement of the piston, a hollowextension, N, on the forward cylinder-head receiving. the arm L as thepiston moves forward.

The pump 0 is provided with aspring-valve,

e, fitted"to a seat at the end of the pump-cylinder, and with a plungerthe endof which is fiat, so that when the two are in contact there shallbe no space between them, the plunger moving back sufficiently to liftthe valve c off its seat at the termination of each stroke, and

the valve following the plunger and taking its seat before there is anyseparation of the valve and plunger, so as to insure absolutely thecomplete discharge of the contents of the cylinder O at each stroke andan accurate measurement of the charge, as setforth in the Let'- tersPatent No. 276,750, granted to me May 1,

son, the air in the cylinder A is being com- I pressed therein as thecontents of the pump are also forced into the cylinder, so that there isa greater pressure in the latter at the termination of the stroke thanwould resultfroni 1883. As the plunger and piston movein uni- I wardmotion of the piston, whether it results from the explosion or frommomentum, the

rush of airthrough the phrt j into the rear end of the cylinderdischarges the contents of the latter, through the port N before thepiston moves back, and a new charge is introduced onthe next rear motionof the piston, so that there can be no irregular act-ion from the mixingof two charges, which is apt to occur inordinary engines, where in caseof a charge failing to explode it combines to a greater or less extentwith that next introduo'edi 1 The pump 0 may be used to measure off thegas-I alone, as set forth in my aforesaid patent; but. owing to thecomparatively small proportion of gasrequired, and to the difficulty ofmeasof air, constituting a non-explosive mixture of such character andproportions that when mixed with the air-charge already in the cylinderit will form therewith a working-charge of the desired explosivecharacter. By thus measuring off and introducing a non-explosive mixtureI avoid all danger of premature explosions, prevent the flame runningthrough the ports to the pump withouttbe use of safetymeshes, andmeasure the charge more accurately than would be otherwise possible. Itwill be apparent that this mode of securing charges of uniform charactermay be employed in connection with different forms of engines and by theuse of other appliances than those described, it only being essential tomeasure off a non-explosive mixture of air and gas, having a definiteproportion to air in the cylinder, and to then introduce the mixedcharge into the cylinder, or, if desired, into an intermediatereservoir, from which it is withdrawn as required, there being dangerneither of explosion nor ignition. In connection with the accuratemeasurement of the charge I am enabled to regulate the speed and powerof the engine to the work to be performed with out, as heretofore,suspending or diminishing the explosions. Thus within certain limits, bymeasuring off a charge containing a less proportion of gas, I secure inthe working-cylinder an explosive mixture, but less effective than onehaving a greater amount of gas, so that the explosions are continued andthe uniform character of the operations maintained, but with lesseffectand with a corresponding diminution of the quantity of gas employed.

The regulation of the gas is effected in the engine described by theadjustment of the valve d,- and I prefer to construct the latter so thatit cannot be completely closed, thereby insuring thepassage ofsufficient gets under all circumstances to secure an explosion, thusavoiding the running down or stoppage of the engine, or the irregularaction resulting from the.

occasional cessation of explosions. When the proportion of gas iscontrolled by the governor, each charge measured off may contain agreater or less proportion of gas, so as to insure explosions of greateror less power, ac-

cording as the engine tends to diminish or in- .crease its speed. Bythese means I am enabled to run the engine-at different speeds, but withas uniform a motion when the speed is low aswhen operatingat a highvelocity. As the proportion of gas to air is comparatively small, veryslight changes in theamount introduced into the charge will greatlymodify the action of the engine. It is therefore necessary to constructthe valve d so as to vary the flowto the small degree desired. This I doby making the valve conical and moving it -in a slightly larger roundport, as, which is very gradually obstructed or opened by the movementof the valve. The mixed gases, instead of being forced into the air inthe-cylinder as the latter is being compressed, may be introduced, afterthe spent gases have been expelled, while the air is passing into thecylinder prior to compression.

The air may be taken from a reservoir of air under compression insteadof using the piston B to compress it, and the pump or other measuringdevice may be otherwise arranged and operated than as above described.

' I have found it very desirable, not only to secure the best explosiveeffect, butalso to insure certainty of explosion,,to thoroughly mix thegases constituting the explosive charge before exploding the same. Itwill be apparent that if the most powerful and best explosive mixture isone part of gas to twelve of air, the. engine will operate inefficientlyif the charge is exploded whenthe gas has combined with only half thequantity of air provided for it, or in the proportion of one part of gasto six, of air. I have used different means of insuring this thoroughmixture, but'have found the best results to ensue by injecting the gasor air, or both, into the cylinder at a tangent, or in such manner as toinsure a rapid circulation of one past the inlet-opening or current ofthe other. Thus the gas-charge port 0' is at an angle to a radial linedrawn from the center of the cylinder, and the air-inlet port j entersthe cylinder on a curve, asshown, so that as the air rushes in itwillacquire a whirl, which will continue as the piston moves back, andthe. current will rapidly pass the port 0, the inflowing gases fromwhich will thus be rapidly and intimately mixed with the air. Instead ofthe ports being at an angle, the gases. may be directed against wings orblades that will deflect them and impart the desired whirling motion.

a The intimate admixture of the gases is essential to the properexplosion of the charge, especially when electricity is employed foreffecting the explosions, as the charge will not ignite by the electricspark unless the gases are mixed in the proper proportions. In effectingthe ignition by electricity I use an igniter consisting of a plug, F, ofmetal, containing an insulating material, or a plug of insulatingmaterial-as china, clay, or other material or compositionand carryingtwo wires, k k, terminating in electrodes, between which passes thespark generated by a battery or ignition at a particular point of thestroke, for

which purpose I use means whereby to produce the spark at the instantdesired, and to break the circuit except when the spark is requiredThese features maybe embodied in different arrangements, that shown inFig. 5 having proved to be very effective.

L is the battery; M, the induction-coil; N, the rheotome orcircuit-breaker, with suitable wire connections between the battery,condenser, and i gniter. A rod, 0, is connected at one end from the sameand establish the current. The

desired limited movement of the lever O is efieted by a knuckle, a, onthe shaft 0 and corresponding knuckle, n, on the lever O, the rotationof the shaft bringing the knuckles in contact and momentarily swingingback the lever and establishing the current. To per- 'mit' the spark tobe made at any desired point of the stroke, the lever or knuckles shouldbe adjustable. Thus the knuckle amaybe on a band, a", encircling theaxle, and capable of being turned thereon and fixed after adjustment inany position. Ihave found that the best results ensue from igniting thecharge when the same is under the greatest pressure, which is generallywhen the piston is at the limit of its rear movement and the crank is onor nearly on the dead-center, and that when this is the adjustment theengine will work equally well in both directions, the operations beingcontinued, whichever way the engine may be started.

It will be seen that in the engine above described there are no valvesoperating under pressure or requiring actuating mechanism, all theports, channels, and openings, except 'the exhaust-ripening, beingcontrolled by selfact-ing cl1eck-valves, while the exhaust has no othervalve than the piston and its arm. I

thus avoid the loss of power from friction, and the uncertain action andconstant supervision resulting from the use of ordinary valvearrangements.

By the use of an electrical igniter having its electrodes projectingbeyond the inner walls of the cylinder, I am enabled to ignite thecharge at or near the center instead of at the side, as heretofore, soas to secure the outward radial spread of the combustion, and a morecertain, rapid, and effective combustion than when the ignition isnearer the wall or head of the cylinder. By the use of an electricaligniter in connection with means for rapidly mixing the gases, I amenabled to avoid igniting the gases before they are thoroughly mingled,but can explode them the instant the proper admixture is eiiected.

The plug F is preferably constructed with screw-threads fitting thethreaded opening in the cylinder, or otherwise; or the electrodes aremovable in the plug, so that said electrodes may be varied in positionto enable them to be set to insure initial ignition at the best point ofthe stroke. It will be apparent, however, that in some instances anignitingflame, or an incandescent bodyheated to a dame or otherwise, maybe substituted for the electric-spark or coilignitern I do not hereclaim the igniting devices and their operating appliances hereindescribed,

as the same will constitute the subject-matter of a separate applicationfor Letters Patent.

I claim 1. The improvement in supplying the ex plosive charge-togasengin'cs, consisting in introducing air into the working-cylinder,making a separate non-explosive mixture of air and gas, then introducingthe same into the cylinder in such regulated volume as wilhwith the airin the cylinder, constitute an explosive charge, and then exploding thesame in contact with the piston, substantially in the manner set forth.

2. The method of regulating the speed an power of gas-engines bymeasuring off and introducing separately from the contents of theworking-cylinder definite charges of gas and air, in which theproportion of the gas is varied to correspond to the power required,

substantially as and by the means set forth.

3. The combination, with a gas-engine, of means for measuring air andgas in regulated proportions and definite volumes,for introducing saidmeasured volumes successively as part of the charges in the maincylinder, to form an explosive charge therein, and then igniting thelatter after the entire volume of gas is introduced, substantially asset forth.

4. The combination, with a gas-engine, of a measuring device and meansfor supplying it p with gas and air in regulated proportions, a cylinderand means for supplying it with air after the operation of eachexplosive charge, and connections whereby the measured charge of gas andair is forced into the air in the cylinder to form the explosive charge,substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, in a gasengine, of a measuring device, and means,substantially as described, for supplying the same with a regulatednon-explosive mixture of air and gas, a power cylinder and connectionswith said measuring devi cc, and ports and adjusting appliances wherebyto supply said c'ylinderwith air and with the gas mixturein proportionsto constitute an explosive charge, and an igniter for exploding thecharge in contact with the piston, substantially as set forth.

6.- The combination, with a gas-engine, of a device whereby a definitemeasured chargeof gas and air is introduced into the workingcylinder toform an explosive mixture with air therein, a valve regulating the flowof gas to said device, and a governor operated by the engine andoperatingsaid valve, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the device for measuring definite proportionsof air and gas, of agasinlet, governor, and regulating-valve constructedto insure at all times aflow of gas. to the said device, substantiallyas set forth.

S. The combination, .with a gas-engine, of a gas-regulating valveadapted to supply a continuous flow of gas to the engine, and a governorto regulate the position of the valve, for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination, with the cylinder of a IIO gas-engine, and means forsupplying an aircharge thereto and compressing it therein, of a devicefor measuring a definite charge of mixed air and gas, and forcing itinto the main cylinder as the air is compressed, substantially as setforth.

10. The combination of an explosion cylinder and piston, and means forsupplying the same with air after each explosion, pump communicatingwith the cylinder, air and gas pipes communicating with said pump, andmeans for regulating the flow of air and gas thereto, and connectionswhereby a definite regulated charge of air and gas is measured by thepump and forced thereby into the work ing-cy1inder, substantially as setforth.

11. The combination of the working-cylinder having an exhaust-port nearthe forward end and air-inlet port at the rear, means for displacing thespent gases by a current of air carried throughthe cylinder after eachexplosion, and a measuring device whereby a definite regulated mixtureof gas and air is forced into the air thus introduced, and means forigniting the charge after the compression thereof, substantially as setforth. I 12. The combination, with the cylinder having an exhaust-portnear the forward end, and

an air-chamber communicating, with the for inlet and gas-inlet ports setat an angle to the inner walls, situated at different points thereof,whereby one current is caused to flow past the port through which theopposite current enters, substantially as specified. v

In testimony whereof I have signed my name .to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

CYRUS XV. BALDXVIN. \Vitnesses:

H. L. GARRISON, ABRAM 0. Mom.

